Combination amalgam carrier and plugger



Dec. 14, 1954 R. B. THURMAN COMBINATION AMALGAM CARRIER AND PLUGGERFiled July 5, l19:53

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. IN V EN TOR. oaf/zr *wwe/ww United States Patent COlVIBINATION AMALGAMCARRIER AND PLUGGER Robert B. Thurman, Sparta, Tenn.

Application July 3, 1953, Serial No. 365,821

2 Claims. (Cl. 32-60) The present invention relates to a combinationamalgam carrier and plugger and it consists in the combinations,constructions and arrangements of parts herein described and claimed.

Generally there is provided a device which is `adapted to be used forpicking up pieces of amalgam and trans ferring them to cavities in teethto be filled and which device may then be utilized as a plugger forforcing such piece of amalgam into the cavity. The device contains manynovel features including a novel means for transferring force applied toa plunger to the working end of the device, such end also being curvularto provide easy access to cavities particularly in the molars. Novellocking means is provided for locking a plunger forming a part of theinvention in its outward position in the working end of the devicewhereby the same may be used as a plugger.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a novel combinedamalgam carrier and plugger.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a device of thecarrier set forth, a novel curvular neck portion forming a part of theinvention.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a device of thecharacter set forth, a novel lock forming Ya part of the invention.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a device of thecharacter set forth, novel means for transferring force from one part ofthe device to another, such means forming a part of the invention.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from areading of the following specification taken in conjunction with thedrawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but broken away to disclose theinterior mechanisms of the device,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing an operating handleforming a part of the invention in extended position,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of a cap andallied structure forming a part of the invention, with the plungerretracted.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View with the plungerextended.

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 66 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a section taken on lineiL7-7 of Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown therein adevice of the character set forth comprising an elongated hollowcylinder 10 to whose forward end is integrally connected a neckgenerally indicated at 11 and having a rearward portion 12 which extendsconcentrically with the cylinder 10 and a forward curvular portion 13whose free end 14 extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis ofthe cylinder 10.

A cap is generally designated at 15 and consists of a centrallyapertured knurled head 16 and a reduced ex- -teriorly threaded portion17 adapted to be threaded into the rearward end of the cylinder 10. Thehead 16 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed bayonet slots18 for the reception therein of a pin 19 which extends diametricallythrough a rod 20 which, in turn, extends slidably and centrally throughthe head 16 into the interior of the cylinder 10.

Forward portion of the rod 20 is reduced, as shown at 21 thus providinga shoulder 22 and the reduced portion 21 extends into the rear portionof the neck 11. A compression spring 23 surrounds the reduced portionICC its other end.

The outer or free end of the rod 20 is provided with an actuating button25. Threaded upon the outer side of the portion 14 of the neck 11 is awork head 26 which tapers inwardly toward its cuter end 27. The head 26is provided with a centrally located longitudinally extending passage 28in its outer end and with a cylindrical chamber 29 in its inner end.

A piston 31 is slidably mounted in the passage 28 and terminates in thechamber 29 with an enlarged cylindrical head 32. A plurality of balls34, preferably formed of hardened steel, is mounted in the neck 11 andextends from the forward end of the reduced portion 21 of the rod 20 tothe member 32.

In operation, it will be apparent that when it is desired to transferamalgam from a source of supply to a tooth cavity, the pin 19 will firstbe disengaged from the bayonet slots 18 by a simple twist of theoperating handle 25 whereupon the spring 23 will act to move the rod 20outwardly of the piston 10 thus permitting an inward movement of thepiston 31 into the head 26. This leaves a space in the outer end 27 ofthe head 26 between the outer end of the piston 31 and the extreme outerend 27 of the head 26. The head 26 may now be forced into the supply ofamalgam and a portion thereof Will be held within the space justreferred to whereupon the head 26 may now be moved to a point adjacentor in the cavity to be filled and by pressing inwardly upon theoperating handle 25 the rod 20 will be moved inwardly and consequentlythe reduced portion 21 thereof will impinge against the series of balls34 which, in turn, will impinge against the member 32 and thus force thepiston 31 outwardly of the head 26 as shown. To use the device as aplugger, the r-od 20 may now be locked within the bayonet slots bymoving the pin 19 therein and twisting the same in conventional manner.This will, in turn, act to hold the piston 31 in its outer position asjust described whereupon the device may be used as a plugger for theamalgam to force the same in conventional manner into the aforesaidcavity.

It will be apparent that the particular curvature of the neck 11 willallow the device to be utilized in the lling of tooth cavities which arenormally difficult if not impossible to reach by conventional tools. Itwill also be seen that the series of balls 34 will act to transfer forceapplied to the handle 25 to the piston 31 as above described.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein,it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many minormodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

- 1. A device of the character described comprising a hollow cylinderhaving a forward wall, a neck formed integrally with said wall andhaving a rear portion concentric with said cylinder and a curved forwardportion, said neck and said wall having a passageway therethrough, awork head removably mounted on the free end of said neck, a pistonreciprocally mounted in the outer end of the work head, a knurled headremovably mounted on the rear end of said cylinder, a rod reciprocallymounted in said knurled head and having a reduced portion extending intosaid passageway, means for imparting movement from said rod to saidpiston, a handle on the outer end of said rod, said reduced portionforming a shoulder with the remainder of said rod, and a compressionspring surrounding said reduced portion and bearing against saidshoulder and said wall, said rod being provided with a pin extendingtransversely therethrough adjacent said handle, and within said knurledhead is provided with a pair of bayonet slots for receiving said pinwhereby to lock s-aid rod in its innermost position.

2. A device of the character described comprisingl a hollow cylinderhaving a forward wall, a neck formed integrally with said wall andhaving a rear portion concentric with said cylinder and curved forwardportion,

said neck and said wall having a passageway therethrough, a work headremovably mounted on the free end of said neck, a piston reciprocallymounted in the outer end of the work head, a knurled head removablymounted on the rear end of the cylinder, a rod reciprocally mounted insaid knurled head and having a reduced portion extending into saidpassageway, means for imparting movement from said rod to said piston,and a handle on the outer end of said rod, said means comprising aplurality `of balls mounted in said passageway in abutting relation toeach other.

References Cited in the le of this patent Number UNITED STATES PATENTSName

